Residents press Geary County for a countywide marketing campaign; commissioners pledge follow‑up

Residents and local business advocates used the March 2 public comment period to press the Geary County Commission for a more coordinated tourism and marketing effort.

Carolyn Gaston, a Geary County taxpayer, said county promotional materials under‑represent key assets such as Milford Lake, local events, the new high school, hospital growth and Rolling Meadows golf course, and asked the commission for a written response and more community involvement. Commissioner Trish Giordano told Gaston the commission will discuss a major marketing campaign next week and invited her to serve on the planning board.

Alan Bontrager said he had proposed a PR campaign and met with the CVB director months earlier but received little follow‑up. He told the commission the CVB booth lacks effective materials and raised concerns that CVB meetings lacked basic financial reporting (no treasurer's report presented). Bontrager urged a countywide PR approach involving the city, Mainstreet and other stakeholders.

Commissioner Giordano said she supports exploring a wider marketing/PR campaign and wants it on the agenda for the next meeting. Chairman Kathy Tremont said community groups need to work together to promote Geary County. Raquel Cinco, the CVB Director, had been present earlier in the meeting; the CVB director and the HR Director left following an executive session later in the meeting.

Also during public comment, Desree Pettera raised concern about HB 2433 (a water bill that moved quickly through the Kansas House), saying some legislators may not fully understand what they voted on and expressing worry that counties could lose control of water rights; the commission said it would look into the legislation further.

No formal action on tourism funding or CVB governance occurred at the meeting; commissioners committed to discuss a marketing campaign at an upcoming meeting and to follow up on citizens' concerns.